Belt Structure

Seidokan Belt Structure



BELT RANKS


The Okinawan Seidokan rank structure goes directly from WHITE BELT to GREEN BELT, as shown in the list below.

OKINAWAN STANDARD RANKING

WHITE BELT - 7TH kyu

GREEN BELT - 6TH kyu

2ND GREEN (1 stripe) - 5TH kyu

1ST GREEN (2 stripes) - 4TH kyu

3RD BROWN BELT - 3RD kyu

2ND BROWN (2 stripes) - 2ND kyu

1ST BROWN (3 stripes) – 1ST kyu

BLACK BELT:

1ST degree – Shodan

2ND degree – Nidan

3RD degree – Sandan

4TH degree – Yondan

5TH degree – Godan

6TH degree – Rokkudan

7TH degree – Nanadan

8TH degree – Hachidan

9TH degree – Kudan

10TH degree – Judan



This differs from many contemporary styles, as mentioned in the “What is Rank?” page, where there are many other colors and up to 10 ‘kyu’ levels. In America, however, and even in children’s
classes in some Okinawan dojo, several levels are inserted between these two ranks, as well as some simpler kata, such as the Taikyoku katas, as introductory material, in order to strengthen
and motivate the beginning student.

Each rank requires new kata to be learned and understood, along with various strikes, blocks, kicks, joint manipulations (known as ‘toide’ and pronounced “tweedy” in Okinawan), and weapons kata. This applies through 6th degree, after which, as with almost all styles, service to the organization, promotion of the art, age, and to a lesser degree than most styles, politics or seniority come into
play.

The requirements for rank at Toma's Hombu dojo in Okinawa are primarily the kata. At 3rd Kyu, Brown Belt, in addition to the kata, sparring or free fighting proficiency is tested as well.